‘You’d better,’ she said silkily, cupping his semi-hard cock through his pants. God, would she ever get enough of this man?
A half hour later, she was seated in a little trattoria with Lucia and Alex and remembering Maceo’s kiss. Lucia and Alex were chatting amiably and Ori took the opportunity to study Alex. He was slightly taller than Maceo’s six-two, but they had the same dark hazel-green eyes and intense brooding look. Alex’s hair was slightly lighter, closely cropped, vague militaristic and his broad shoulders and slim hips meant he wore his expensive suit well. She could imagine him being a virulent and strong lover…god, what was she thinking? But there was no doubt he had a feral, animalistic sensuality beneath that calm, silent exterior. For a second, Ori let herself imagine Alex in bed…she wondered if he ever let a woman take charge in bed like Maceo did, whether Alex was ever that generous. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine it.
She shook herself – Jesus, the man has just buried his lover, Orianthi Roy, and you’re imagining what? Being fucked by him? You’re in love with Maceo for crying out loud!
Ori felt herself blushing and – just her luck – Lucia happened to glance at her at that moment. ‘You okay?’
Ori tried to laugh her embarrassment off. ‘Hot flash,’ she quipped, ‘must be my age.’
Lucia laughed but Alex studied her. ‘You’re all of what? Twenty-five?’
‘Twenty-eight.’ Given what she’d been thinking about, Ori could barely look him in the eye.
‘Same as age as Viola,’ Alex murmured and Ori felt bad for him.
‘I’m so sorry, Alex,’ she leaned over and patted his hand and he gripped hers for a second, squeezing her fingers.
‘Thanks, sorry, I didn’t think, that was insensitive.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Lucia said, much to Ori’s gratitude. The mood had changed at the table now. ‘Viola was part of our family; we all miss her, Alex.’
Ori smiled at him. ‘I wish I had known her.’
‘Me too; you would have liked each other,’ Alex cleared his throat. ‘I’m waiting for the day when talking about her isn’t painful, or causes people to feel weird around me.’
‘I don’t know about the pain part,’ Ori said gently, ‘but I think we should talk about her, for your benefit and to honor her. Why should the mention of her name be a cause of embarrassment or awkwardness? That’s not the sum of her life. Talk to me, Alex, talk to us about your life together. Celebrate it. I certainly won’t talk about A.J. just in terms of his death.’
She hadn’t meant to go on a rant but at that moment, Ori felt it was the right thing to say – and she believed it too. ‘We may not have known each other long,’ she said to him now, ‘but I would like us to be friends, Alex.’
Alex smiled at her. ‘Same here, Ori, thank you. And you’re right; we should celebrate them.’
Lucia watched as her two friends talked; glad they had found common ground. There was only a very slight concern that sat in her chest as she watched them. The way he looks at her. Lucia had no doubt that Ori was totally and irrevocably in love with Maceo and despite her initial misgivings, she seemed now to be trying to bond with Alex.
But Alex was in mourning, deep mourning, for a woman who more than a little had resembled Ori. Viola had been sweet, kind and loving and, still, someone murdered her. Did the person who had killed her want some kind of revenge on Alex? Would being his friend put Ori in more danger than she already was?
And why was she, Lucia, more terrified than anything that Alex might fall for her friend?
Tyson Janek listened to the dull reports he got daily of Ori’s whereabouts, about her daily goings on. She was protected, no doubt, and Janek’s own rising profile meant he could not go to her without raising suspicion.
He had a plan, however, but he would need her to come back to the States to execute it. Should she come here, her could have her abducted, taken to the secret compound in the Louisiana swamplands. Totally at his mercy. He could spend days there, fucking her, torturing her before he killed her. Days of sadistic pleasure before dumping her body into the swamp to disappear forever. He imagined her beautiful eyes, open and sightless, staring up at the sky as her blood-drenched body sank slowly into the murky water - the thought of it kept him going.
But she never came to America. Oh, she travelled, mostly to Paris, or other European cities, and always, always with Maceo Bartoli and his huge and highly trained security team. Untouchable. Not forever, my darling Ori, not forever…
The minute she stepped foot on American soil, she was a dead woman walking. He would see to that…
His party had recalled him to the front seats again; A.J.’s death having absolved him, it seemed, of all his indiscretions. There were even whispers of the V.P. slot on the next ticket. Whispers he intended to make rallying calls. But Ori could bring that all down – even if her claims of his abuse were dismissed, just the mere mention of them would lead to his downfall. Tyson wondered if Bartoli had told Ori about his abuse of A.J. From how aggressive Maceo had been with him the day Ori was attacked, Tyson thought not. But maybe he should have…
If Ori knew that Tyson had raped his own son, she would go ballistic. Become reckless. Maybe come after him here in the States.
Tyson began to smile. It was risky, yes, but maybe, just maybe, Maceo Bartoli could deliver Ori right into Tyson’s hands…
A month after they had begun to sleep together and Shiloh was still waiting for the punchline. How was it that the untamable Benoit Vaux would be happy with a woman like her? It didn’t help that the newspapers had gotten hold of the story and now she was followed by paparazzi everywhere.
She had been offered a new position at a human right’s law firm, a junior assistant, and grateful for the job, she had taken to the job at once. Her first love would always be the environment and her city but she found a new love here, working to keep asylum seekers in the country, helping them to save their families.
At night, she would meet Benoit and over dinner, they would share their day, then go to his penthouse or her studio and make love. Shiloh found it wonderfully relaxing to be in his company except she wondered if this life was as exciting as he needed. They had settled into a pattern and Shiloh was constantly worried he would get bored of her.
When he asked her to fly to Venice with him, however, she was thrilled. ‘I’d like you to meet my friends,’ he told her.
Ah, the elusive Midnight Club. She had heard about them from Benoit and from his tone, she knew they were his brother-in-arms, his family. Benoit, knowing she would frown upon him using his private jet, flew them using standard airlines – but business class, of course. When Shiloh looked disapproving, he shrugged unrepentantly. ‘The plane would be flying whether we are here or in coach,’ he said and she couldn’t argue with him.
Venice was a revelation to her and she fell in love with the city almost as soon as she saw it. Benoit had booked an incredible suite at a luxury hotel and arrange a local designer to bring her some spectacular gowns.
He was watching her change now, grinning lazily as she poked her tongue out at him. ‘Come zip me up,’ she said, shrugging into a midnight blue dress but instead of zipping her up, he let the dress fall to the floor and tumbled her onto the bed. Shiloh giggled at his mischievous smile, as he removed first her bra then her panties and hitched her legs around his waist.
‘You are insatiable,’ she sighed then gasped as he launched his cock into her, ramming his hips against hers. His lips found hers hungrily and she moved in rhythm with him, her fingernails digging into his buttocks, urging him deeper, harder…
They were late to the restaurant and by Maceo’s Bartoli’s grin, their friends had all guessed why. Shiloh flushed as she was introduced to Maceo, Ori and Alex. ‘My date is also late,’ Alex said then looked over to the door. ‘But there she is.’
He waved at another young woman. ‘That’s Lucia,’ Ori said to Shiloh. ‘She’s being Alex’s friend-date for this evening. She and I have k
nown each other since college.’
Shiloh warmed to both of the young women immediately. Benoit had warned her about Alex’s recent bereavement but he seemed steady enough. Maceo was a joker, she thought to herself, but he was clearly head over heels for Ori.
The meal passed quickly and Shiloh could not have imagined a more pleasant bunch of people to be around. The food was exquisite and when they all moved to the lounge for drinks afterward, she found herself relaxing in the opulence around her. Truly, she could not have anticipated a year ago, that she would be here, with a man like Benoit. Their whole relationship had been a whirlwind.
She swallowed over the discomfort that was sitting in her chest. Shiloh had a secret, something she did not want to tell Benoit – not yet, not to spoil all of this. She was falling for him – hard – and yet something was holding her back.
Her law firm had been so impressed with her that they had offered her a chance of a lifetime. Defending human right’s abuses in Africa. It would mean moving to the country for however long it took, which meant she would have to put her life on hold. Her life with Benoit.
The trouble was…she couldn’t see a way to have her cake and eat it. A man like Benoit would not wait for her forever and why should he? But Shiloh knew that this was the career break she had been waiting for; she could not, in all conscience, decline it.
So, she was doing what she knew best – sticking her head in the sand. Her firm had given her a month to consider and so, right here, right now, she was enjoying her time with Benoit.
She had tried talking it over with Liv and Heloise, but Liv was a romantic, and Heloise…well, it hadn’t been the same between them since that awkward confrontation at the apartment. Shiloh’s heart ached for her old college roommate, especially now, seeing Ori and Lucia so close.
When Benoit was deep in conversation with Maceo and Alex, Ori leaned over to Shiloh. ‘Are you okay? You seemed distracted. Tell me to mind my own business, if you like, but if you need to talk.’
Shiloh smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you, but not here.’
Ori squeezed her hand. ‘During the week, then. We’ll go for lunch?’
‘That’s sounds perfect.’
Ori typed her number into Shiloh’s phone. ‘Anytime,’ she told her and smiled.
Later when Shiloh and Benoit had returned to their suite, they sat out on the balcony that looked over Venice’s lagoon.
‘This really is a magical place,’ Shiloh sighed and Benoit nodded.
‘It is. Did you have a good time tonight, ma chere?’
Shiloh grinned at him. ‘Oui, monsieur. Your friends are wonderful. I liked Ori very much, Lucia too.’
Benoit nodded. ‘Maceo is a lucky man. I think Alex has a little crush on Ori.’
‘I saw that too. What’s his story?’
Benoit told her about Viola and she was appalled. ‘That’s too awful.’
‘Isn’t it? Now it looks like the killer is targeting Ori.’
‘God.’
‘Quite. Look, let’s change the subject. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?’
Shiloh smiled at him. ‘Nothing much. Just wondering how Beau is doing – Liv spoils him when she looks after him. I’ll come home to a rounded pooch.’
It was weak but Benoit seemed to accept that and Shiloh sighed gratefully. There was no way she was going to ruin their vacation by telling him about the job. Benoit stood and pulled her into his arms.
‘Come to bed,’ he murmured, his rich, deep voice sending thrills through her. As they made love, Shiloh could not imagine giving this up, for anything, for anyone. Benoit made love to her slowly, carefully, but as he drove her relentlessly towards orgasm, she suddenly felt like crying. Why does life always come down to choices, to compromise? she thought. She hid her tears until she was sure he was asleep then let them fall unchecked.
I’m in love with you, damn it. And I have no idea how to let you go…
It wasn’t often that Ori caught Maceo in a serious mood but lately he had been more pensive than she had ever seen him. It made her nervous. Was he tiring of her? She hoped beyond hope that he wasn’t and, in her heart, she knew that wasn’t it. But sometimes she awoke at night to find him at the window, staring out unseeing, lost in thought. She was determined to find out and help him get past it.
So, she had come up with a plan. Shock him into giving it up. So, a few nights after the dinner with the friends, they were sitting on his couch watching an old movie, when she spoke up.
‘Maceo…I know something is wrong, and if it’s that there’s another woman, I’d rather you just tell me. Even it’s just that you’re tired of me.’
Maceo sat up and stared at her with wide eyes. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’
Ori smiled at him. ‘I’m just worried; there’s something bothering you and it’s driving me crazy not knowing.’
Maceo sighed and ran his hands over his face. ‘Bella, it’s not another woman, I swear and believe me when I say I will never, ever get tired of you. Ever.’
Ori moved next to him. ‘Then what is it, my love?’
Maceo took her hands in his. ‘Mio caro, it’s about A.J. and something he told me before he died. I have kept it from you because…because he told me in confidence and because I didn’t want to cause you further pain.’
Ori’s heart was thumping now. Please, please don’t say the words. ‘Maceo,’ her voice was barely a whisper, ‘if it’s what I think you’re going to say…that my step-father…’
She trailed off when she saw the truth in his eyes. ‘Oh god.’
His own son. His own son. Ori stood and darted to the bathroom where she threw up and up until she was dry-heaving. Maceo held her hair back and cradled her as she sobbed. When her sobs faded, she turned heartbroken eyes to him. ‘I think I knew, that I suspected. Once, I even started to say something to A.J. but he shut me down. I should have made him tell me, I should have protected him.’
‘Sweetheart, A.J. knew that if he told you, that you would have attacked Janek. A.J. was positive that Janek would have killed you to silence you.’
Ori grabbed a bath towel and wiped her eyes. ‘Not if I killed him first,’ she said in a low voice, shocking Maceo. She looked at him, anger burning in her eyes. ‘I should have. I had the chance once. He raped me on my twenty-fifth birthday. He was drunk and fell asleep on top of me. On my nightstand, there was a photo frame, a metal one, it had these flowers and one had this really sharp edge. I’d cut my finger on it lots of times. I laid there, with this monster on top of me, asleep, watching the blood pulsing in his neck vein. All I had to do was reach out and grab the frame and…’ She mimed slitting his throat. ‘I could have done it. I should have done it, even if it meant spending my life in prison.’
She buried her head in her hands. ‘Then maybe A.J would still be alive.’
Maceo wrapped his arms around her, not knowing what to say to comfort her. ‘We can’t know that, baby, and A.J. would not have wanted you locked away for murder.’
They sat in the bathroom for hours, it seemed, before Maceo carried her to bed. For once, they did not make love, just laid facing each other.
‘I want to destroy him,’ Ori said simply and Maceo nodded.
‘I know. I will help you.’
She touched his face. ‘I need to go back to the States.’
Maceo didn’t look happy but he agreed. ‘But with the utmost protection,’ he insisted.
Little did either of them know then, that it would not be enough…
A week before her decision had to be made, Shiloh discovered something else and it changed everything. Everything. In her tiny bathroom, she stared at the plastic stick in her hand and wondered how, in this day and age, she could have been so stupid.
She knew she couldn’t tell Benoit; ether way she would look like a gold-digger or an idiot. No, she thought, there’s only one course to take.
Which is why, that evening, in his opulent kitchen, she cooked a l
eg of lamb for Benoit, and over a bottle of Merlot, she told him about Africa. He listened carefully then was silent for a long time. Eventually she grew crazy, waiting.
‘Benoit?’
His dark brown eyes were serious as he gazed at her. ‘Well, you have to go obviously.’
Shiloh swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘You think so?’
Benoit reached for her hand. ‘Shiloh, it’s an amazing opportunity, you’d be a fool to turn it down. This could make your reputation internationally.’
Shiloh nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Do not cry in front of him. Do not. And for the love of god, woman, grow up. ‘It is,’ she said softly. ‘Probably the best opportunity of my career.’ She realized she was parroting him but her throat felt choked and she looked away from his gaze.
‘Shiloh,’ he said softly, ‘I’m assuming it’s not forever.’
‘It’s open-ended.’
‘But you’re not tied into a specific time length? You can go or stay as long as you want?’
She nodded and he got up, moving his chair next to hers. ‘Sweetheart…I won’t be the man who stops you from reaching your potential. I will not be that. Eventually it will lead to you resenting me. So, I’m saying, you need to do this and you have my full support.’
But what about us? She desperately wanted to ask him the question but something in his expression was stopping her. Suddenly she felt the fifteen-year age difference between them. This man would not be tied down, that much was obvious. If anybody defined ‘eternal bachelor’ it was Benoit Vaux.
Only an incredibly stupid woman would fall in love with such a man, Shiloh thought now, sadly, only a very, very silly woman.
She suddenly couldn’t wait to get away from him. ‘I’m so tired tonight, Benoit,’ she softened her words with a smile. ‘do you mind taking me back to my apartment?’
Benoit’s face registered surprise for a beat then he nodded. ‘Of course.’
The Billionaire Bad Boy Plan Page 128